God is a Faithful God!
Posted On: March 05, 2011
God seeks out opportunities to show us His faithfulness in our lives. He longs to be our Comforter, Provider, Healer, and Prince of Peace. Each of us goes through hardships and struggles in life, but God does not want us to go through these hard times alone. He loves carrying us through our pains, hurts, insecurities, and faults.
"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31
We can lay our burdens at the cross, and know Christ will lift them. That is the power of the cross!
Romans 15:13 tells us, “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the experience of your faith that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.”
God is good all the time! He always hears our cries for help, and though it may not be on our timing, He will always come through for us!
"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." John 10:10
"I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel."
We were not elected by people, but by God and for God. When you recognize His faithfulness, you can trust He will mold you, like clay in the potter's hand, and create a masterpiece out of your life!
Serving: Easy as trying!
Posted On: March 01, 2011
It is a daily challenge to think outside of our own personal world. With the clutter of life, often times it seems overwhelming to take care of ourselves, let alone provide for someone else. However, Christians are called to a purpose outside of our own lives. We are Christ’s ambassadors, here on earth as instruments ready to be used for God at any moment. This may feel like a huge task, but there is hope!
Christ lived a servant’s life, providing us the perfect example of humility and selflessness. Possibly the most heart-warming example of his servant’s heart was the night of the Last Supper.
“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:12-16
At the Last Supper with His disciples, Christ knew He was facing the cross in a few hours. As a human, He faced the same emotions and fleshly temptations we face every day. However, instead of basking in the fear of death, Christ performed one of His most humble acts of service—washing the disciples feet. This was Christ’s final chance to drive His point home. Symbolically, this act of service shows us God’s heart for His children. He longs to cleanse us, and to wash us in His love and mercy.
By God’s grace and strength, we can seek to fulfill acts of kindness toward others. Ask God to show you ways on a daily basis to serve others before yourself. It will stretch you and cost you time, money, resources, and energy. However, you will not have to do it on your own strength. God promises to provide for you every step of the way!
The Glass Isn’t Just Half Full, It’s Overflowing!
Posted On: February 24, 2011
Philippians 2:5-7
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
It is important to recognize that Christ knew who He was while walking this Earth. He knew his divine purpose; He knew God’s will had to be done. When you know who are you, you know what you have to do. As Christians, we are ambassadors of God called to fulfill His will. God longs to bring heaven down to Earth. He wants to connect with the hurting, the hopeless, and the lonely.
As Christ walked this Earth, He knew the heart of the Father in heaven. The only way we can have the attitude of Christ is to remember that as believers, we are in the potter’s hand. We no longer are called to a life of selfishness, but rather to a life of serving. The best part however, is that God knows what is best for us!
When we trust Him with everything, our life turns into a masterpiece…a life better than anything we could create on our own.
Having an attitude like Christ is to recognize that we are called to a purpose greater than ourselves. Once you recognize God handpicked and appointed you, nothing can stop you from fulfilling your God given purpose!
In the Family
Posted On: February 02, 2011
When I was a young girl, there were some words I couldn’t say. One of those words was “pregnant.” My mother would have fainted if she had heard that word come off my lips: it was taboo. Instead of saying “Aunt Bonnie is pregnant,” we could say, “Aunt Bonnie is in the family way.” As I got older I thought that was a neat way of describing the biological event of having a baby, “in the family way.”
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.-- Hebrews 10:16-22
Now that we have accepted Christ, we are in the “family way.” The new and living way!
Have you noticed that no matter what the circumstances that begin a pregnancy, when the baby was born, it immediately becomes part of the family? Almost immediately, it is difficult to imagine life without the new little one. I vividly remember answering the phone 42 years ago and on the other end Uncle Jack said, “Bonnie just delivered a baby girl and her name is Ginny.” Oh how our family rejoiced over that beautiful baby girl.
I also remember just four years ago when a dear friends daughter delivered a baby girl out of wedlock. While prior to the delivery there was much pain and hurt over how the baby was conceived, once she was born it didn’t really matter. Now the beautiful girl was here, and she was a part of the family!
It is this way with Jesus too! Whatever circumstances or struggles may have been a part of your past before accepting Christ, when you are born again you are in the Jesus Way, the family way. Once you decide to follow the Jesus Way, it is difficult to imagine life without the Holy One.
Christmas “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”
Posted On: December 07, 2010
Artificial or synthetic trees are quite popular due to convenience, easier maintenance, looking just as appealing on display, and the ability to be reused over the years.
Even though from a window display it may look authentic, an artificial tree will never have that fresh smell of pine or soft bristles. And although, the maintenance of a real tree throughout the holiday season may take more work, in the long run it is worth doing. Consistently adding water to the base of your tree stand ensures the life and freshness of your authentic Christmas tree.
In the same respect, people may be authentic or artificial Christians. Just like your Christmas tree in the window display may seem to look real, people may also appear to be Christians but aren’t always authentic. So tell us how you think someone can prevent from becoming an artificial Christian?
“In Everything Give Thanks for This is the Will of God”
Posted On: November 23, 2010
Got this scripture covered when everything is going great! To be honest until I was 32 years old this was an easy scripture to obey. Then the bottom fell out of my life with the death of my mother, a diagnosis of autism on my first born son,
and a pending divorce.
I woke up one morning and thought, “Give Thanks? To who? For what? I’ve gone from the palace to the pit in a matter of a few years. Where is God? What have I done or not done to be where I am today“?
Have you ever had these type thoughts? Of course you have! But remember Jesus Saves! Salvation is not just for our eternal souls but for our peace of mind. Christ took upon himself the chastisement of our peace.
This is the first step to having the ability to give thanks in everything. Realize that Christ paid the price for every area of our lives and we can rest in the peace of God knowing that all things will work together for us if we trust him.
What areas of your life our you struggling with today? Start giving thanks in the midst of every situation.
